Dads Don't Cry

“Be strong.”“Hold it together.”“Don’t cry.”For many fathers, grief is something they’re expected to carry in silence.In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, I’m joined by bereavement therapist Peter Hanlon for a raw and compassionate conversation about loss, fatherhood, and what happens when pain can’t be fixed.We explore how dads truly cope with grief, how to support grieving children with honesty, how relationships are impacted after the loss of a child, why community matters, and why healing doesn’t mean forgetting or moving on.If you’re grieving, feeling numb, or simply trying to get through the day, this episode is for you.Peter closes out the episode with a piece he wrote for the Little Lifetime Foundation Christmas Remembrance Mass.The piano piece at the very end of the episode was created in Aodhla’s memory by friend and listener Elizabeth Henry.

In this powerful episode of Dads Don’t Cry, Lar shares his son Oscar’s story, from the joy of early childhood to the subtle signs that led to a devastating DIPG diagnosis. He reflects on protecting Oscar’s innocence, creating magical memories, and facing the crushing silence that followed. From unimaginable grief came purpose: the creation of Oscar’s Kids, a charity to honour Oscars’s spirit and bring comfort, hope, and support to families walking a similar path. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on love, loss, resilience, and the enduring legacy of one extraordinary little boy.

In this episode of Dads Don’t Cry, we sit with Linda - mam to the beautiful EmmaRose, whose brief but powerful life forever changed her family’s world. Linda walks us through her journey with raw honesty and quiet strength.From childhood sweethearts to the wonder of an unexpected pregnancy, she shares the joy, fear, and awe that shaped the early days of her motherhood. A single butterfly becomes a fateful symbol as innocence is lost, and Linda opens up about navigating grief while trying to make impossible, practical decisions.She recounts the quiet arrival and heartbreaking farewell of EmmaRose and the aching hope to grow their family again. We hear a father’s grief too - the loss of future dreams, the silence, and the pain that often goes unspoken.Another butterfly appears as a guide toward hope, leading to the arrival of their son, Adam. Linda reflects on how her life shifted from Montessori classrooms to a new way of seeing the world - one shaped by love, loss, and purpose.This episode is tender, courageous, and a reminder that no one walks through grief alone.

This week on Dads Don’t Cry, I’m joined by Tony - proud dad to Arthur.Tony opens up about the overwhelming joy of becoming a father for the first time, and the incredible strength he and Claire found in the Ringsend community during one of the most difficult times of their lives. He talks about the early days of navigating grief, the importance of honest conversations, and how connection with others became a lifeline.We dive into the beginnings of Féileacáin Fathers, the support group Tony helped build for bereaved dads. What started as a small circle has now grown into a nationwide community with more than 100 fathers across all 26 counties - a space where men can share, listen, and support each other with real vulnerability.Tony also reflects on how his family lovingly celebrates Arthur’s birthday each year, keeping his memory woven into their lives in meaningful and joyful ways.It’s a heartfelt, honest, and deeply inspiring conversation about fatherhood, loss, healing, and community - one you won’t want to miss.

In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Dads Don’t Cry, my partner and I open the door to the most precious and heartbreaking chapter of our lives: the brief but beautiful time we shared with our little girl, Aodhla. Though she was with us for just 8 weeks and 2 days, she transformed our family with a light and joy we’ll carry forever.We celebrate the laughter and memories she gave us—from Sarah’s dream of giving Caragh a little sister, to Tom’s Christmas-morning spot squashed between his sisters in the back seat. Then, with honesty and raw vulnerability, we talk about the day everything changed. Losing Aodhla to SIDS shattered our world, and the journey since has been anything but simple.Together, we explore how grief has shown up differently for each of us, the strain it’s put on our relationship, and the hard work of staying connected when life feels impossibly heavy.We’re only 10 months into this nightmare, still finding our way through shock, pain, and survival. This episode is our first step in speaking our story, and we’ll be back to share more as we continue navigating grief, healing, and whatever comes next.

In this powerful episode, Irishman Dean shares the story of his daughter, Charli, his and his wife Emily’s angel baby. From their life in Chicago to the joy of expecting their first child during COVID, Dean reflects on love, hope, and heartbreak.At their 20-week scan, doctors discovered that Charli had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare, severe condition where she was missing the left side of her heart. With limited options and no family nearby, Dean and Emily faced an impossible choice.They ultimately made the selfless decision to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR), choosing to bear the pain themselves so Charli would never suffer. Dean speaks with raw honesty about love, loss, and the strength it takes to be a dad through unimaginable grief, a moving reminder that a dad’s love endures beyond loss.

This week on Dads Don’t Cry, we’re joined by Nina, mam to Liam and Grace. From knowing at a young age that motherhood was her calling, to navigating the challenges of IVF and loss, Nina opens up about her journey with raw honesty and love. She shares the heartbreak of saying goodbye too soon, the lasting joy her children brought, and how she continues to honour their memory every day.Through her work with Féileacáin, Nina now helps other families walking a similar path — finding strength, hope, and community in the hardest of moments.If you'd like to support Féileacáin you can do so at https://feileacain.ie/Please listen with care, and take breaks if you need to.Irish Organisations for bereaved parents and families -Anam Cara - anamcara.ieFéileacáin - feileacain.iePregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland - pregnancyandinfantloss.ieFirstLight - firstlight.ieA Little Lifetime Foundation - alittlelifetime.ieBarretstown - barretstown.org

In this heartfelt episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter is joined by Adrian, Aoife’s dad. Adrian opens up about the incredible joy of welcoming his daughter into the world in 2007, and the unimaginable heartache of saying goodbye to her in 2012. He shares how Aoife’s passing became a powerful turning point, accelerating a career change and a renewed sense of purpose. With honesty, warmth, and courage, Adrian offers words of comfort and guidance to anyone navigating similar grief.Thank you, Adrian, for sharing your story with such openness -your words will touch and help anyone who listens.Please take care while listening. Take breaks if you need to, and remember you are not alone. A full list of support resources is available in the show notes and below.https://aoifesclowndoctors.ie/Irish Organisations for bereaved parents and families -Anam Cara - anamcara.ieFéileacáin - feileacain.iePregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland - pregnancyandinfantloss.ieFirstLight - firstlight.ieA Little Lifetime Foundation - alittlelifetime.ieBarretstown - barretstown.org

In the first episode of Dads Don’t Cry, host Peter opens his heart and shares the story behind the podcast and the loss that inspired it. Speaking about his daughter Aodhla, Peter reflects on the silence that often surrounds fathers’ grief and why it’s time to break it. With honesty, love, and vulnerability, he explores what it means to be a dad after loss, why every child deserves to be remembered, and how sharing our stories can help us heal. This introduction aims to set the tone for a series that gives dads a voice — and reminds every grieving parent: you are not alone.